Lesley Taylor

Western Mail

July, 2013

What do I need to consider before buying a freestanding bath?

You will need to carefully consider the material of the freestanding bath you opt for. There is acrylic, cast iron, stone and stone composite models to choose from and each have their own qualities and benefits. Acrylic is now a popular choice as it is lighter, easier to maintain and more affordable. If you do opt for an acrylic design make sure you check the thickness to ensure it won’t crack.

The stone and stone composite versions are the heaviest and often traditional floors are unable to support the weight. Consider the logistics of getting the freestanding bath into your bathroom before you buy- will it fit through your door openings and do you have the man power to lift the bath up the stairs if it is heavy?

You will also need to check that your boiler is able to cope with the added depth of a freestanding bath as it will require a greater capacity of water. If your current system does not have a fast enough flow rate or is unable to provide the amount of hot water needed, you may need to reconsider the type of bath you choose.

I’m currently having a wetroom installed so want to tile the bathroom fully. Do you have any tips for me when tile shopping?

A wetroom is an investment so make sure you choose a tile range that you are going to be comfortable living with indefinitely. Colour, texture and pattern are all important aspects to consider, but it really does come down to person choice. A room totally clad in natural stone can look fantastic or a combination of natural stone and iridescent glass mosaics also looks fab. Of course a room fully clad in mosaics will give you the ultimate glam-factor.

Here are a few tricks of the trade and essential points to remember when shopping:

A large glass tile will not be suitable for a wetroom as it will be slippery. Instead, opt for mosaics with non-slip properties.

You can sometimes use a floor tile on a wall, but never a wall tile on the floor as they are not designed to take any weight and wear and tear.

A small bathroom doesn’t mean small tiles! In fact, larger tiles in a small room can make it feel more spacious as there will be less grouting joints and lines.

If you are using large tiles, usually 60cm x 30cm and over, or thick stone, consider the weight and ensure the substrate can support it and that the adhesive you are using is strong enough.

I have recently moved into a converted barn and I would like to update the kitchen, but I’m finding it difficult to decide on a style. The room has oak beams and while I don’t want contemporary, I don’t want a design that’s too traditional. What type of door would you suggest?

It’s important you get the look and feel of the kitchen just right as in many cases it is the hub of the home used not just for cooking, but for entertaining too. When you spend so much time in one room, you need to choose a design you feel completely happy with. I think the aim here is not to lose the properties original charm in a quest to be on trend, yet not opt for anything too traditional that may look outdated quite quickly.

I would suggest you opt for a shaker style door that boasts a classic appeal with a contemporary paint finish. Then, as time passes, the design won’t tire. When choosing a colour, why not go for a stone grey or olive shade to give it an on-trend, sophisticated look. You could always update the design with a lick of paint in a few years’ time if you fancy a change.

If the carcass of the kitchen is in good condition and you are happy with the layout, why not just replace the doors and handles for a fresh new look? Moving home is costly enough, without the expense of a complete new kitchen! The Kitchen Door Workshop has a selection of door styles and finishes in a range of standard sizes and a made to measure service is also available.

[Week 10]

Interior Designer and member of the BIID Lesley Taylor is the Design Director of Taylor’s Etc based in Cardiff, 02920 358 400, www.taylorsetc.co.uk.